Let’s Continue

Let’s Continue

Today is the first day of the Great Fast, but it isn’t the beginning of our journey. It is the beginning of our annual Great Fast, a time when we focus as much attention as possible on growing closer to Christ. Our journey began when we were baptized and will continue until we meet the Lord face to face. Until then, our journey is made up of seasons during which we live always trying to remember our goal to Live A New Life In Christ, but this season is special.

The Great Fast, also known as Great Lent from the Latin word for Spring, originally was set aside as the final steps in becoming a member of the Church. Catechumens had been working for months to learn about the faith and prove themselves to the Church. The final stage of preparation to join the Church through baptism was a season of fasting, inspired by the Fast of Christ in the wilderness. Thus, the Great Fast was a special season for Catechumens to prepare their soul to join Christ in Baptism.

This is where we, those who have already been baptized, come in. It became tradition for those already baptized to join the catechumens in the Great Fast as a way of rededicating their lives to Christ. Since there is only one baptism, the Great Fast became for those members a reinvigorating commitment to Christ. So, we fast together, helping each other and learning from each other.

Whether your have never been baptized, or if you were baptized decades ago as in infant, the Great Fast is a chance for you to continue on your journey to meet the Lord. Catechumens will meet Him in the Baptismal Font, and existing members of the Church will meet Him in the Chalice, but we will ALL meet Him in the Kingdom. Will we be ready to meet Him?

The themes of the past several weeks have been preparing our souls and minds for the Great Fast. Now our journey takes on a greater intensity with strict fasting (according to the guidance of your spiritual father) and prayer. You never know…..this could be our last Great Fast, and instead of celebrating Pascha in our home Church, we could be celebrating it in the Kingdom. Either way, let’s continue on our journey and allow the Great Fast to prepare us to meet the Lord.